Early Reviews Encourage Huizenga

Marlins Owner Pleased By Play, Interest

VIERA - — The man wearing the AutoNation wristwatch and Marlins golf shirt walked through the clubhouse Saturday, shaking hands with a few employees.

They're doing good work, these Marlins. That's the word from the boss.

"Any time you're 25-5, that's a nice spring training," said owner H. Wayne Huizenga, who made the trip from Fort Lauderdale in his helicopter to watch the Marlins' final Grapefruit League game against the Cincinnati Reds.

"That's exciting. Even though it doesn't mean anything come Tuesday [Opening Day), even though it's spring training, it's still a lot nicer to win."

The Marlins won a weather-shortened game 4-3 to close the Grapefruit League season with a 26-5 mark, easily the best in the majors.

By the time the game was called in the sixth inning, Huizenga, his father, Harry, and Marlins President Don Smiley were all aboard the green Bell helicopter, headed back toward Fort Lauderdale.

It was only the third game the billionaire owner has been able to fit into his schedule this spring, but he's seen enough to believe the $89 million free-agent shopping spree he bankrolled wasn't for nothing.

Twenty-six victories and an overloaded switchboard at Pro Player Stadium would seem to indicate the Marlins made some wise personnel moves.

"The phones are ringing off the wall," said Huizenga, whose team has sold close to 16,000 season tickets, up from 12,500 last year. "I don't know if `expect' is the right word, but we were hopeful [of a significant season-ticket increase). That's the reason we did what we did, stepped up to try to generate fan interest. So far, it seems like it's working."

Like many fans, Smiley got a busy signal when he tried to call the stadium last week. The Marlins received 1,500 calls per hour Monday through Wednesday.

"After Jimmy Johnson was hired, we were getting 800 an hour," Smiley said.

The Marlins will begin the season with a six-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. Tuesday's Opening Day game against the Cubs is sold out, and close to 30,000 are expected for Wednesday night's game.

Oddly, the interest has translated to ticket sales for all but the Thursday night game, when $35 million pitcher Alex Fernandez, a Cuban-American born and raised in Miami, is scheduled to make his Marlins debut.

So far, only about 13,000 tickets have been sold for that game (some season tickets are partial plans that don't include tickets to Thursday's game).

At the end of last season, Huizenga said he might consider selling the team if attendance doesn't increase significantly this season.

Asked about the lackluster interest for Thursday's game, Huizenga said, "It's too early to be concerned. We've done all we can do. We can't do anymore. It's up to the fans. How many times have you heard in Florida, you have to put a winning team on the field? Well, we're putting it on the field. If the fans don't come, I don't know how much more we can do."

At that point, Huizenga smiled, turned to Harry, and said, "Dad, I'll buy you a hot dog," before the two of them walked out of the clubhouse.

Fernandez seemed surprised by how few tickets had been sold for Thursday.

"I have no idea," he said, then smiled and added, "Maybe they're cheap. Maybe they expect me to buy [tickets) and give them out. But that's not going to happen. [A small crowd) would definitely be a surprise. But can I worry about it? No. I'd rather have 20,000 there and win than 40,000 and lose. ...

"If people don't support this team, they're not going to support any team at all. If they can't support this team, Wayne may look for other alternatives."